CFP: California Historical Society Book Award

The
California Historical Society (CHS) and Heyday have established the California
Historical Society Book Award for a book-length manuscript that makes an
important contribution to both scholarship and to the greater community by
deepening public understanding of some aspect of California history. The prize
carries a $5,000 advance and publication in both print and e-book formats by
CHS/Heyday, with an awards ceremony, ample promotion, and an author tour
throughout the state.

The purpose
of the award is to recognize and promote an exciting new literary work in
celebration of California’s heritage. The ideal manuscript will inform the
minds and delight the imaginations of readers while generating a deeper
understanding of California’s rich history. The work must adhere to high
scholarly and literary standards and must be lively and engaging to general
readers. In addition to conventional works of historical scholarship, other
genres will be considered, such as biographies, collections of letters or
essays, creative nonfiction, and other stimulating literary forms.

Eligibility

The topic should
be broad enough to be of interest to readers throughout the state.

Authors with
either manuscripts in progress or finished manuscripts are welcome to apply.

Manuscripts, when
finished, should be at least 40,000 words. While we are open to other
possibilities, preference will be given to manuscripts of fewer than 75,000
words.

How to
apply

Applications
are due by July 1, 2014. Please send the following material to
editor@heydaybooks.com in a single PDF:

A cover letter
introducing yourself and your qualifications.

A brief
description of your project.

An annotated
table of contents.

A statement as to
the need or desirability of photographs, maps, or other graphics, with
examples.

If the manuscript
is not yet completed, a statement that describes what has been done and a
schedule for what still needs to be finished.

The California Historical Society (CHS) is a 140-year-old,
nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire and empower people to make
California’s richly diverse past a meaningful part of their contemporary lives.
We hold one of the top research collections on California history, which
includes over 35,000 volumes of books and pamphlets, more than 4,000
manuscripts, and some 500,000 photographs documenting California’s social,
cultural, economic, and political history and development, including some of
the most cherished and valuable documents and images of California’s past.

About
Heyday

Heyday is an
independent, nonprofit publisher and unique cultural institution that promotes
widespread awareness and celebration of California’s many cultures, landscapes, and
boundary-breaking ideas. Through its well-crafted books, public events, and
innovative outreach programs, Heyday is building a vibrant community of
readers, writers, and thinkers.